InHexyWeTrust

He hasn't really been discussed because of the nuclear-meltdown of Fleury and the cheap shots and whatever else, but he's looked somewhat shaky to be sure. Some big stops when he needed to make them in the first two games--definitely got things settled after that 1st period in game 2, but there were some goals yesterday and throughtout that were a bit beginning-of-the-season-bryzasterous. At the same time, I'm not too worried going forward. Not to look past Pitt., we still need to finish them off--as bad as the Penguins have played, is there another offense in the NHL that's scarier than theirs? After a no-defense high scoring series, I can't see Bryz continuing to give up 3 or 4 goals a game. I can't see us continuing to score 5,6,8 goals a game in the playoffs (not to look ahead!) but what other team in the NHL poses as serious an offensive threat as the Penguins?

The title of this thread is so good.

Did anyone notice on the Couturier hit that Neal changes direction to come back and hit Couts? He is skating out to center ice and then, after the puck is chipped back into the zone, cuts back and lines up the hit. As if at first he's getting back to position and then sees a defenseless player prime for a cheap shot. Unbelievable.

It's official: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=628071 Neal would be a big loss for them--despite the dirty plays he was the only one who came to play yesterday.

Best quip I've heard about possible suspensions: Will Shanahan suspend Asham for the rest of the playoffs, or will he decide to give him more than 1 game?

JVR skated with the team today, said he's "getting close," but won't play Sunday. Unless this thing goes 6 or 7 games, I'd think they'd let him heal up until round 2 (knock on wood).

Couturier for the Hart! Malkin who?!

Lilja played one of his best games as a Flyer last night. Bourdon's "injury," but more importantly his disappointing play in the game--a little nervous I think, will mean Kubina in on Friday. If Lilja repeats his performance I'd be fine with that huge--massive 3rd D pairing for us. Kubina's been pretty brutal, but if his brings some physicality and doesn't turn the puck over, it won't be a huge drop-off. His big right shot might be nice too. But it's clear that Mez needs to get healthy.

The NHL fined Rangers coach John Tortorella $20,000 for cursing, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday on New York radio station WFAN—not, apparently, for calling Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin "whining stars" or implicitly questioning the integrity of officials. "I think (Tortorella cursed) four times," Bettman said, according to Tom Gulitti of NJ.com. "He's a professional. He knows better than that." "As emotional as you get, when you're a head coach in this league, when you're in a public media session, you shouldn't be cursing." Read more: http://aol.sportingn...0#ixzz1rjqdV2he What a freaking joke. I've heard coaches, players whatever curse in interviews before with no repercussion. Bryz cursed in response to some idiot reporter's question just a couple days ago. What a pathetic attempt of an excuse on Bettman's part.

Except that Torts didn't say anything bad about the league. He complained about the Penguins being dirty and gutless and whining. About the NHL he said, I believe, "I'm curious to see what they do about it." Let's get this straight, the NHL fined Torts for complaining about the Penguins. Though you're sort of right; to complain about the Pens is to bash the National Pittsburgh Hockey League.

As difficult a first round match-up as we've had in recent memory, and I can't freaking wait. Wednesday can't get here soon enough. Let's go Flyers!

He was at it again with this latest interview with Bryz: "You know, they're paying you a lot of money. They obviously think you're the guy who's going to lead them to the cup." No question there. Just instigative bull crap. You'd think this guy is trying to get under the skin of Flyers on purpose. Carchidi obviously had his personal vendettas in articles against Richards and Bryz earlier in the season, but Panotch really does seem like he's trying to be an ******* in person. I wish the team could selectively ban certain beat reporters from locker room access.

That's what was so surprising for me as well. You go through his comments, and Torts doesn't say a thing about the refs or the nhl, just about the pens. I cannot understand the justification for the fine at all, except that the complaints were directed at Pittsburgh. Since when does 'gamesmanship' get punished?

Pronger's injury will probably take us right out of the 'cap hell' we would've otherwise been committed to. Pronger's career looks finished. But I'm sure he'll be happy to keep drawing salary and letting us put him on the LTIR and take the cap exemption for the rest of his contract--just like Rathje and Lappy. That being said, the Pronger trade was a good move. Sbisa looks like he's going to become a pretty impressive NHLer and Lupul is having a ridiculous season after a few disappointing ones, but we got two games from the Cup with Pronger and wouldn't have without him. No complaints there.

Me too. Can you imagine Washington not making the playoffs? What a disaster of a season they've had. It seems inconceivable with all the talent they have on that roster.

What's everyone's thoughts on the state of the team before the deadline? Is Homer still looking for a trade, or is he all set after Grossman and Kubina? I'm a big big fan of both moves. Kubina seems like a true flyer already with his comments. But of course, there seems to be nothing we can do about the goaltending situation this year. Have been hoping and will continue to hope that either Bryz or Bobs finds his game and plays with enough consistency to be a clear #1. Doubtful. But other than the goalies, I really like the look of the team now, both offense, which has been dominant the whole year, and a now bigger, more powerful d-corp. Kubina's right hand shot is only going to add to the offensive options. Seems like the same story as it is every year, but I like this team going toward the playoffs with just the goalie as the omnipresent question mark. That said, I think Homer's done. Maybe a try for Nash closer to the deadline if the price comes down--JVR, Carle, Read, maybe? Save that, I think this will be the team we take into the playoffs.

Wow. Followed up by 2 more stunners on Bob. Pick your poison with these guys.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1202/nhl.poll.toughest.goalie.shootout/content.9.html NHL players were apparently polled about the most difficult goalies to face in a shootout. Unsurprisingly Henrik was #1. But shockingly, unbelievably, look who turned up in the top 10. I don't know what this says compared to his [lack of] luck this season, but was I amazed.

Is that where we're at now? Bryz finally pitches a "shutout" and the offense can't get a freaking goal, so we should trade for a goalie that stops shots in a shootout??? That'll really be important in June. Come on guys, we picked up another point, we're third in the conference and tied for second in the whole league in regulation/overtime wins. Outside of the Rangers, Devils, and Boston games the goalies, both of them, have been throwing together some solid starts together going back a couple weeks now. Briere's back, JVR's on his way; why the hell is everyone freaking out?

with montreal's season blown, i could see gill getting got for a 4th rounder or so. that's all he's really worth with the expiring contract.

The problem though is that a depth defenseman is simply not going to fix our problems; it's just a sideways move at best to get a veteran presence instead of Gus/Bourdon. We need someone of the quality of top 4 d-man, not a 5-6 depth defenseman. I agree that we won't shell out for Suter or Weber, but Andy Sutton ain't going to get it done. Hal Gill would be a great pickup to provide his size and reliability. I can't see him commanding all that much in return.

I think that's a bit of a gigantic overstatement. Both are solid goalies, both starting caliber in the NHL. The problem has been consistency. Bryz needs to maintain his focus, work on his confidence--it's amazing how many flukey little deflections he's had against him. And as for Bob, I don't know of another goalie ever with his lateral mobility. Aside from getting an elite in the range of Lundqvist or Luongo or either of Boston's goalies, I'm not sure where you can go there. Reliability is a problem right now, but talent is not. Are you actually suggesting that these guys are worse than Boucher, Leighton, Esche, Cechmanek, Nitty, Burke, Hackett??? Seriously? Even with how both have played, especially Bryz, they are still the best crop of goalies we've had since...early Hextall maybe.

You're right. As soon as Gleason got 4 carle was as good as gone. It's amazing to think that pronger, injuries not withstanding, was signed for around 5.

If Coburn and Mesz are both getting 4 mil/year and both are a year younger than him, I wouldn't mind if they could lock him up in that ballpark. Maybe 4.3 which would be close to a million dollar raise, but I can't see them going much more than that. But with the big contracts that when down this last offseason for someone like Wisniewski, I bet Carle is going to cash in--unless he wants to stay here. But I can't imagine us signing Suter at a rate in the 5s or 6s. Just too much, at least until Kimmo leaves.

Gosh. That does seem like the most likely reason for this sort of move. And of all our NHL forwards, JVR would be the one to get moved, which unless it's for Suter straight up, I wouldn't do--and JVR has to be cleared first from the concussion, which isn't imminent. What else could the reason for this be?